Door operating mechanism



Oct. 15, y E. ALSWORTH 2,017,578

DOOR OPERATING MECHANI SM Filed Aug. 2, 1934 4 'Sheets-Sheet 1 nvenor EQ/gene Zsww/ ,f1 llomey l5 E935. E. ALswoRTl-l 2,07,5

DOOR. OPERATING MGHANISM Filed Aug. 2, 1954 4 Shee'ts-Sheet 2 Inventor E5, w35; E. ALsWoRTH DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM 4 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Aug. 2, 1934 Homey OC. 15, 1935. E ALSWORTH DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 2, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lvlorney Patented Oct. l5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT Nortica 8 Claims.

This invention relates to operating mechanism for doors and has as its object the provision of a mechanism which may be used for operating both folding and sliding doors.

More particularly it is an object of the invention to provide a mechanism of the character above mentioned that is especially adapted for opening barn doors.

In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism for opening barn doors in the event cf fire is provided and involves a novel combination and arrangement of elements as will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a sectional view through a barn provided with folding or hinged doorsand illustrating the application of the invention thereto.

Figure 2 is a sectional view with the doors in closed position.

Figure 3 is a detail view taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 7 are detailed sectional views taken substantially on the lines 4-4 and '1 -l,

- respectively, of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a locking bolt or pm.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a latch member.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on a plane.'

immediately below the flooring of the loft of the barn illustrating certain details of .construction hereinafter more fully referred to.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a door opening plunger hereinafter more fully referred to.

Figure 1l is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line II-II of Figure 12.

Figure l2 is a fragmentary elevational view of a slightly modified form of the invention.

Figure 13 is a detail view taken substantially on line I3-I3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a latch releasing member hereinafter more fully referred to.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, and particularly to Figures l to 10 inclusive, it will be seen that the barn is indicated generally by the reference numeral I and the same in accordance with the present invention is provided with the usual loft 2 and the swinging or hinged doors 3.

Forming an abutment for the doors 3 when the latter are in closed position isa vertical tubular standard or casing 4 that is suitably mounted in the doorway of the barn and which extends from the floor of the barn to the flooring 5 of the loft of the barn.

For securing the doors in closed position, the 5 same are, inV accordance with the present invention, provided with loops 6 which are secured to the inner sides thereof by U-bolts, staples or other suitable means 'I. At the front thereof the casing member 4 is provided with openings 8 'through which the members 6 pass into the member 4 when the doors 3 are moved to closed position. For securing the doors in closed position, there are provided locking bolts or pins 9 that operate within the member 4 and engage 15 the loop 6 in a manner clearly shown in Figure 3.

The locking pins 3 are suspended from cables I9 which are trained over suitable pulleys II mounted in the upper end of the member 4.. On the free ends of the cables I0 are weights I 2 20 that normally exert a pull on the cables I0 to `raise the pins 9 out of engagement with the loop 6. v

Secured to each weight I2 is one end of a cable i3 that is trained over .suitable pulleys Il 25 mounted in the loft 2 and at the free end'thereof each cable I3 is provided with a weight I4 that operates in a weight box I5 located in the loft 2 at the rear end thereof. The weights Ill act to exert an upward pull on the weights I2 so as 30 to normally permit the locking pins 9 to engage the members 6 for securing the doors 3 in closed position.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that in the event of a flre in the loft 2, the cables I3 35 will burn and break, thus releasing the weights I 2 which latter will then move downwardly to raise the pins 9 out of engagement with the loop 6 so that the doors 3 may be opened.

For automatically opening the doors when the 40 .latter are released in the manner above explained, there is provided a suitable mechanism now to be explained. Such mechanism consists in the present instance of an elongated casing or housing I5 mounted opposite each of 45 the swinging door sections 3 and supported from the flooring 5 by suitable brackets I 6 as shown in Figure l. Operating in each housingl I5 is a plunger Il that is normally urged outwardly of the housing in a manner to forcibly engage the 50 adjacent door section 3 through the medium of a spring IB. The plunger II is normally retained within its housing I5 through the medium of a hinged lid I9 provided. for one end of the housing, which .lid is normally retained `ina closed 55 position through the medium of a spring latch member 20 that is secured at one end as at 2| to one side of the housing I5.

As clearly shown in Figure 8, the latch member 20 is in the form of a flat spring metal strap which at one end is bent angularly as at 20a to overlie and engage the door or lid I9 of the casing for normally securing the lid in closed position. At said end the strap 20 is also provided with an apertured ear 22 that extends in a reverse direction to the projection 20a and this ear 22 is connected through the medium of a cable 23 with one of the weights I2.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that when the weights I2 are released Ain the event of fire, and in the manner hereinbefore explained, downward movement of the weights I2 will not only serve to raise the locking pins 9 for releasing the doors, but will al-so exert a pull on the cables 23 for flexing the latch members 20 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 9 thus releasing the doors I9. When the doors I9 are released, the plungers I'I under action of springs I8 will be projected outwardly of their casings I5 and into engagement with the adjacent door sections 3 swinging the latter from the closed position shown in Figure 9 to the open position suggested by dotted lines in Figure 9 whereby the cattle in the barn are free to leave the barn.

To prevent the doors 3 from swinging to a closed position after they have been automatically opened in the manner just explained, the plungers I'I intermediate their ends are provided with shoulders 23 that will engage the forward end edges of the casings I5 upon projection of the plungers as should be clear from a study of Figure 9.

For signalling purposes, there is also provided on either or both of the doors 3 in substantial alinement with the casings I5 a suitable cartridge holder 25 as shown in Figure 7 and adapted to be arranged in the holder 25 is a blank cartridge 26. Secured in one end of the cartridge holder is a plug member 21 which slidably carries a ring pin 28 that has one: end normally projected beyond the plug 21 and engaged with a part of a spring structure 29 suitably mounted on the cartridge holder. Thus, upon projection of a plunger I'I, the forward end of the latter will engage the resilient memberk 29 flexing the same inwardly to forcibly engage the firing pin 29 with the blank cartridge 26 for exploding the charge of the cartridge in a manner to sound an alarm to awaken the farmer, or others interested, to the fact that the barn is on fire or to the fact that the doors of the barn have been opened through the medium of the mechanism for some reason or another.

Access may be had to the pins 9 for raising the same out of engagement with the loops 6 to free the doors without setting the operating mechanism into operation through the medium of a suitable door 30 provided in one of the door sections 3, and also through a suitable hinged folding door 3l provided for the casing or hollow form of the invention are provided for normally holding the weights 39 in raised positions, and for connecting such weights in an operative manner to the weights 39 there are provided suitable cables 40 which are connected at one end to the cables 31 adjacent the weight-equipped ends of said cables.

For moving the sliding doors 32 to open position upon raising of the pins or bolts 36 upwardly and out of engagement with the loops 34, there is provided on each door a casing 4I corresponding to the aforementioned casing I5 and equipped, in the same manner as the casing I5, with a spring pressed plunger which, when projected, will engage the center post 3| in a manner to cause the associated door 32 to slide laterally away from the post 33 to an open position. For normally retaining the plungers within the casings 4I the said casings are provided with the usual hinge lids 42 and latch members 43 are suitably associated with the casings 4I and have laterally projected portions 43a that engage the lids42 in a manner clearly shown in Figure 2 for holding the lids in closed position.

For flexing the latch members 43 in a manner to release the hinge lids 42 there is provided for each casing 4I a metallic strap member 44 which, at one end, is pivoted to one side of the center post 33. At its free end, each member 44 is provided with a lateral projection 45 that normally engages the under side of the free end of an adjacent latch member 43. Intermediate its ends each member 44 is provided with an apertured lug 46 for the attachment thereto of a cable gnat is in turn also secured to an adjacent cable From the foregoing it will apparent that when the weights 39 move downwardly to raise the pins 36 for releasing the doors 32, the members 44 will be caused to swing upwardly, thus flexing the latch members 43 upwardly to release the lids 42 of the casings 4I. When the lids 42 are released in this manner, the spring p-ressed plungers within the casings 4I are projected into forcible engagement with the center post 33 in a manner to cause the doors 32 to slide laterally in reverse directions to open position.

With the plungers of the casings 4I thus projected and engaged with the center post 33, the doors 32 will be heldin open position against accidental closing.

What is claimed is:

1. In a door opening mechanism, in combination, a door, a fixed member provided with an aperture, a loop member on 'the door adapted to 05 the door to open position incidental to a release of the. weight by said inammable means,V and said door opening means including relatively xed and movable telescoping members, spring means engaged with the movable one of said members for projecting it relative to the fixed one of said members, means for causing the door to move to an open position when said movable member is projected, and means acting on the movable one of said members in opposi-tion to said spring for releasing the movable one of said members incidental to a release of the Weight.

2. In combination, a hingedly mounted door, a center post against which the free edge of the door is adapted to abut when the door is in closed position, said center post being hollow and having an opening in one side thereof and said door being provided with a loop member adapted to project into the post through said opening when the door is in closed position; a cable suspended over pulleys within said center post, a locking pin provided on one end of the cable to engage the loop member for releasably securing the door in closed position, a weight member on the free end of the cable, a second cable trained over pulleys arranged exteriorly of the center post, said second cable being connected at one end with said weight, and being provided at a relatively opposite end with a weight acting to normally retain the rst weight in raised position in a manner to releasably secure the door in closed position.

3. In combination, a hingedly mounted door, a. center post against which the free edge of the door is adapted to abut when the door is in closed position, said center post being hollow and having an opening in one side thereof and said door being provided with a loop member adapted to project into the post through said opening when the door is in closed position; a cable suspended over pulleys within said center post, a locking pin provided on one end of the cable to engage the loop member for releasably securing the door in closed position, a weight member on the free end of the cable, a second cable trained over pulleys arranged eX-teriorly of the center post, said second cable being connected at one end with said weight, and being provided at a relatively opposite end with a Weight acting to normally retain the first weight in raised position in a manner to releasably secure the door in closed position, a xed casing mounted relative to the door, a spring pressed plunger arranged in the casing and adapted to be projected into engagement with the door for swinging the same to open position, latch means engaged with the plunger normally retaining the same in retracted position, and means connected with the first named weight and the latch means for releasing the plunger incidental to a raising of the locking pin out of engagement with said loop member.

4. In combination, a hingedly mounted door, a center post against which the free edge of the door is adapted to abut when the door is in closed position, said center post being hollow and having an opening in one side thereof and said door being provided with a loop member adapted to project into the post through said opening when the door is in closed position; a cable suspended over pulleys within said center post, a locking pin provided on one end of the cable to engage the loop member for releasably securing the door in closed position, a weight member on the free end of the cable, a second cable trained over pulleys arranged exteriorly of the center post, said second cable being connected at one end with said weight,

and being provided at a relatively opposite end with a weight acting to normally retain the rst weight in raised position in a manner to releasably secure the door in closed position, a ixed casing mounted relative to the door, a spring 5 pressed plunger arranged in the casing and adapted to be projected into engagement with the door for swinging the same to open position, latch means engaged with the plunger normally retaining the same in retracted position, and 10 means connected with the rst named weight and the latch means for releasing the plunger incidental to a raising rof the locking pin out of engagement with said loop member, and audible signal means mounted on the door and adapted i5 to be operated by said plunger when the latter is projected.

5. In a device of the character described, and in combination, a sliding door, a center post with which the free edge of the door is adapted to abut 0 when the door is in closed position, a staple on said center post, a keeper bracket on the door having an apertured part adapted to engage with said staple, a locking pin engageable with the staple for releasably securing the door in closed 25 position, a cable trained over suitably mounted pulleys, and connected at one end with the locking pin, a weight on the free end of said cable, additional Weight and cable means connected with the first named cable for releasably retain- 30 ing the first named Weight in raised position.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a sliding door, a center post with which the free edge of the door is adapted to abut when the door is in closed position, a staple on 35 said center post, a keeper bracket on the door having an apertured part adapted to engage with said staple, a locking pin engageable With the staple for releasably securing the door in closed position, a cable trained over suitably mounted 40 pulleys, and connected at one end with the locking pin, a weight on the free end of said cable, additional weight and cable means connected with the iirst named cable for releasably retaining the rst named weight in raised position, and means 45 on said door and engageable with the center post upon release of the first named weight for forcibly sliding the door to an open position incidental to a release of the door.

7. In a device of the character described, in 50 combination, a sliding door, a center post with which the free edge of the door is adapted to abut when the door is in closed position, a staple on said center post, a keeper bracket on the door having an apertured part adapted to engage with 55 said staple, a lockingpin engageable with the staple for releasably securing the door in closed position, a cable trained over suitably mounted pulleys, and connected at one end with the locking pin, a weight on the free end of said cable, ad- 60 ditional weight and cable means connected with the rst named cable for releasably retaining the rst named weight in raised position, and means on said door and engageable with the center post upon release of the rst named weight for forcibly 65 sliding the door to an open position incidental to a release of the door, said means including a casing mounted on the door, a spring pressed plunger operating in the casing and having an end adapted to be projected into engagement with the cen- 70 -ter post for moving the door to an open position,

latch means normally retaining said plunger in retracted position within the casing, and an operating connection between said latch means and said rst named cable for releasing the latch means 75 incidental to a lowering of the lrst named Weight. acting thereon in opposition to the rst named 8. In a door opening mechanism, door locking weight, and door opening mechanism connected means including a locking pin, a cable connected with the rst named cable and releasable upon at one end with said pin, suitably mounted pulleys movement of the rst named cable in the direction 5 over which said cable is trained, a weight on the of pull exerted thereon by the rst named Weight. `5

free end of said cable, additional Weight and cable means connected with the rst named cable for EUGENE ALSWORTH. 

